Shippensburg U. beckons Markley

Phil Markley, a Costa Mesa resident, has been named to the

Shippensburg University Athletic Hall of Fame for 2002. The induction

ceremony will take place Oct. 11, and will be a part of

Shippensburg’s homecoming festivities.

Markley, 44, was one of the best soccer players to compete for

Shippensburg. As a midfielder, he led the Red Raiders to some of its

most successful seasons. The team never had a losing year with him in

the lineup. He started in every game for four years and served as the

team co-captain in 1977 and 1978.

“I was definitely excited about it,” Markley said of his reaction

to being elected to the Shippensburg Hall of Fame. “It’s a neat

honor. I’ve had many different memories there, and very good

memories.”

As a senior Markley helped lead Shippensburg to a PSAC Eastern

Division title.

Markley finished his career with 22 goals and 18 assists. The team

compiled a 32-16-2 record during those four years. He set the career

record for assists and held the record until 1987. His career total

is still the third highest in team history and is only two below the

current record. He also earned All-PSAC and NCAA Division II

All-Region honors for three consecutive years (1976-78).

In 1976, he represented the East Coast at the Junior Olympic

Soccer Tournament in Dallas, Texas. Markley, who grew up in King of

Prussia, Pa. and graduated from Upper Merion High in 1975, said his

experience with the Junior Olympics was one of his most memorable

because he met special guest Pele.

After college, Markley played semi-pro soccer for Athletes in

Action from 1978 to 1983. He played matches across the U.S. and

internationally, conducting activities such as summer soccer camps

and soccer clinics. Athletes in Action is a form of Christian

ministry. Markley said, it was the reason he came to California,

where it was based and where he met his wife, Elaine. They have been

married for 20 years and have three children.

“When I was with Athletes in Action, we did a lot of traveling,”

Markley said. “Soccer is a great sport to break down barriers. We

played in third world countries, where we had nothing in common. But

as soon as you throw a soccer ball out there, that all goes away and

you kind of have an instant camaraderie.”

In 1981, Markley worked with Kyle Rote, Jr. and a group of

investors to bring a Major Indoor Soccer League franchise to Memphis,

Tenn.

Markley’s passion for soccer has carried over to today. In

addition to his job as the chief financial officer for a real estate

development firm, Markley is active in the Costa Mesa community. He

has coached his twin sons, Scott and Shaun, and his daughter, Alicia,

on their soccer teams in AYSO for more than 10 years. He was named

the AYSO Coach of the Year in 1999. His sons will be freshmen at

Estancia High this year and will play on the freshmen basketball

team. Markley will continue to coach girls AYSO, as Alicia is 7.

-- by Steve Virgen